My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

set the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone,

cake is so pretty,

hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to

box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s

a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel a

must sing the

close her

Rachel must blow out

Rachel shook her head to indicate to Julian that there was no need to go

The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice piped

head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height

of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give

to say thank you!” their parents instructed,

on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community

finally smiled

be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is

it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it

then. It’s been

and

apartment and about to close the

a loud slam, the door was propped open

head up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the

out on business?

house and shut the door

“I see you’ve been getting

steps back. Why are you

stalked toward her as he pulled

suppose you wouldn’t want me to

step he approached her, forcing her back

no idea what she

arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the way to